Senate approves changes to Ala. Accountability Act

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Senate has approved legislation saying private schools and non-failing public schools don’t have to take students transferring from failing public schools.

The Senate voted 21-12 Thursday for a bill making changes to the Alabama Accountability Act. The bill makes clear that a student transferring from a failing school in one school system to a non-failing school in another system has to provide his own transportation. It also tightens up which schools will be designated failing schools.

The Senate passed the bill after Senate Minority Leader Vivian Davis Figures shouted at the architect of the Accountability Act, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, that he was hurting public education. Marsh says some schools have been failing for years and the Accountability Act gives them incentives to improve.